Dawn

by Arcelia

Dawn

Celestia rose from her bed, the air around her was cool as she approached her royal dresser. Outside, the city slumbered away in the darkness. A soft, chilled breezed drifted in through her window, sending a shiver through her as her feathers shifted about. Atop her dresser was her crown and necklace, accompanied also by a flower crown she had picked for the occasion. She rose it to her head, weaving it around her horn and ears so it sat properly on her head.

She walked towards the door and retrieved a velvet dressing gown from the hanger. Wrapping the soft, red fabric around herself, Celestia felt its warm embrace and the chill of the air no longer reached her.

Out in the hallway, the royal guard stationed outside her door recomposed himself. His legs straightened as he pushed out his chest, his armour rattling about as he did so. “Your highness, it is a pleasure to bid you a good morning.” the stallion said, saluting her as she walked past.

Celestia smiled as she spoke. “There is no need for the formalities, Brazen Helm. Please, be at ease.”

The stallion softened his posture, relaxing his shoulders as dropped his hoof. “Yes, your highness. May the day find you well.”

The princess simply lets out a giggle as she continued down the hallway, dimly lit by the sconces that lined the walls. Flickering in the breeze that drifted in through the window, their flames stayed alight. Almost as persistent as she had felt that morning, she had to keep the hope inside her alive for what strife laid ahead.

Out in the open, Celestia watched out on her balcony at the sleeping city below her. Lit only by the lights that lined the streets, Canterlot was blanketed in a layer of deep blues and stony greys, the city always looked so pretty at night. She took a moment to enjoy the calmness of the quiet and the sleepy, idyllic state of which she would have to awaken the city from. It was time to start the day, a day she was never going to forget.

Encasing her horn in an ethereal glow, Celestia closed her eyes as she focused her energy. Lifting the celestial orb from its resting place beyond the horizon, she slowly raised it into the sky high above the dormant city.

Opening her eyes, she let out sigh. Her breath clouded the air. This day, a thousand years in the waiting, had at long last arrived. It was here, she had placed all her faith in a pony of whom she could only hope was ready for what the day would bring.

In the first rays of sunlight, Canterlot glowed in the warm colours of the sun. Light pinks and yellows melted into the scene as Celestia stood there, knowing that the fate of her beloved subjects rested in somepony else’s hooves.

After another moment of standing out on the balcony, she turned and went back inside the castle. She had cleared her schedule for the day and requested that many of the castle staff take a day off. The hallways were all empty except for the royal guards, who had been stationed in and around the castle walls. All of the remaining staff had been told that today was not a day of any significance and to carry out their duties as usual.

Celestia took the winding staircase that led to the dining and food preparation wing of the castle. When she entered, the kitchen it was empty. All but one of the chefs had been given the day off, which meant that Silver Sugar was downstairs in the basement collecting ingredients.

On the countertop was her breakfast, freshly baked apple strudels and a hot cup of tea sat there waiting for her. The warm scent of the apples wafted towards her, she brought them over to where she stood before leaving the kitchen. All she needed now was a quiet place to enjoy the sunrise.

Towards the end of the corridor was a little window where the sun warmed the room. The soft velvet shifted about against her coat as she settled herself onto the stone floor. Perched by her favourite window, Princess Celestia nestled into a cosy blanket of warmth as she sipped her tea.

Just outside, the sun shone brilliantly over the castle, casting its warm rays down on her gentle face. It was now that she realised she hadn’t taken a day off in a long, time. Not since the banishment of her dear sister, a thousand years ago. But today would be the end of her sister’s exile, today she would return and bring back the same darkness that she had once so long ago.

Today, Celestia thought. Everypony would be busy preparing for the annual Summer Sun Celebration. They were all unaware of the fact that she had been presiding over them without her sister, which had been no easy feat itself. What a long and lonely millennium it has been without you, dear sister.  But today, you are finally coming home. She sipped her tea, a lump grew in her throat as she felt a shiver go down her spine. Underneath her velvet gown, she shifted about. Everything about today was so...uncertain.

If there was one thing she could be sure of, however, it was that she had complete trust in her pupil, Twilight Sparkle. Everything else was up to fate, which was starting to make her feel a little nervous. After all, the fate of Equestria rested squarely on the little pony’s shoulders and she wasn’t even aware of it!

Now, now, Celestia you need to calm yourself. Twilight is more than capable of handling the situation. Even if she needs a little bit of a push in the right direction.

At that same moment, a flash of light appeared before her and from it a neatly wrapped scroll. A hint of dragon’s breath still lingered in the air, it was from Twilight. She had been expecting a letter from her any day now, she was up to the mythological figures and legends part of her studies. Which is precisely where Celestia had intended her to be.

She removed the ribbon and seal, the parchment unrolled before her. Taking a sip of her tea, she scanned its contents carefully before summoning a quill and bit of parchment by her side. It was finally time for her pupil to embark on her greatest quest. The one that she had been preparing her for since the beginning. Celestia only hoped her with all heart, that her pupil was ready.

Taking up her quill, she began writing a response. With enough confidence, she hoped that Twilight would do the right thing, not just for herself, but for Equestria. It would be one of many trials she would have to face.

Celestia could feel the sun grew warmer now, her cheeks glowed as she sat there. Rolling the parchment, she sealed it and sent it away in a trickle of light. All she could do was wait, the rest of today’s schedule had been cleared and she realised how good it felt to have a day off.

Outside she could hear the wind in the leaves and the birds in the sky, the distant chattering of ponies as they started their days. For just a moment, all was right with the world. She closed her eyes and focused on the scent of the tea, mixed in with the warm apple strudel in front of her. All the smells and sounds eased her aching heart and calmed her mind.

For with the cool breeze blowing in, the sun continued to rise with its golden rays of dawn.